Mercury dimes are highly sought-after coins by collectors due to their historical significance and rarity. These coins, minted between 1916 and 1945, were designed by Adolph A. Weinman and are famous for their iconic “Winged Liberty” design, which is often mistaken for the Roman god Mercury.
If you’re curious about rare Mercury dimes that are considered true collectibles, here’s a detailed look at some of the rarest and most valuable ones in the market today.
1. 1931-D Mercury Dime
- Rarity: Scarce
- Mintage: 1,260,000
- Minted at: Denver
The 1931-D Mercury Dime is a highly sought-after collectible due to its relatively low mintage. While not as rare as some others on this list, its scarcity makes it valuable to collectors. Denver was the only mint that produced this dime in 1931, contributing to its appeal.
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2. 1926-S Mercury Dime
- Rarity: Scarce
- Mintage: 1,520,000
- Minted at: San Francisco
The 1926-S Mercury Dime is another valuable coin from the series. Produced at the San Francisco Mint, this dime’s low mintage makes it a collectible for those focusing on the Mercury dime series. While the numbers minted are slightly higher than the 1931-D, it is still considered scarce and can command a good price in the market.
3. 1925-D Mercury Dime
- Rarity: Rare
- Mintage: 5,117,000
- Minted at: Denver
The 1925-D Mercury Dime stands out for its rarity, despite having a higher mintage compared to some of the other coins in the series. Its value comes from the fact that many of the coins from this year were heavily circulated, and finding one in good condition is a challenge. Coins in higher grades can fetch significant prices among collectors.
4. 1919-D Mercury Dime
- Rarity: Rare
- Mintage: 9,939,000
- Minted at: Denver
With nearly 10 million coins minted, the 1919-D Mercury Dime may not seem rare based on numbers alone. However, high-grade specimens are extremely hard to find. Most of the 1919-D dimes that are available today show signs of heavy circulation, making mint-condition coins a rare and valuable find.
5. 1921 and 1921-D Mercury Dimes
- Rarity: Very Rare
- Mintage: 1,230,000 (1921), 1,080,000 (1921-D)
- Minted at: Philadelphia (1921), Denver (1921-D)
Both the 1921 and 1921-D Mercury Dimes are considered very rare due to their low mintages. These dimes were produced during the economic downturn that followed World War I, leading to fewer coins being minted. Collectors treasure these coins because of their scarcity, and they are among the most sought-after Mercury dimes today.
6. 1945-S Mercury Dime – Micro S Full Band
- Rarity: Extremely Rare
- Mintage: Not known
- Minted at: San Francisco
This particular variant of the 1945-S Mercury Dime is one of the rarest in the series. The “Micro S” refers to a smaller-than-usual mint mark on the coin, and the “Full Band” designation refers to the fully visible horizontal bands on the fasces on the reverse. This combination makes the coin exceptionally valuable to collectors, especially in high grades.
7. 1916-D Mercury Dime
- Rarity: Extremely Rare
- Mintage: 264,000
- Minted at: Denver
The 1916-D Mercury Dime is one of the rarest and most sought-after coins in the entire series. With a mintage of just 264,000, it’s no wonder that collectors consider this coin a holy grail of sorts. Many collectors are willing to pay top dollar for a high-grade 1916-D Mercury Dime, and even low-grade examples can fetch significant amounts due to their extreme rarity.
8. 1942/1 Mercury Dime Full Band
- Rarity: Extremely Rare
- Mintage: Not known
- Minted at: Philadelphia
This unique error coin is one of the most famous in the Mercury dime series. The 1942/1 overdate error occurred when the die for 1941 was repunched with the date 1942, creating a distinct and collectible error. Combined with the “Full Band” designation, which adds even more value, this coin is incredibly desirable to collectors and can command high prices.
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Conclusion
Mercury dimes are not only a beautiful series of coins but also hold significant value due to their rarity. Whether you’re an experienced collector or someone new to the hobby, these 8 rare Mercury dimes are worth keeping an eye on. Each one tells a unique story and represents a piece of American history, making them treasured items for numismatists.